Guardian notes in their statement that the transaction is still pending; the finalization hinges on a variety of factors including regulatory approval in other countries. The Guardian Board of Directors established a long-term ownership strategy for the deal prior to the announcement.

"We were interested in making this investment for two reasons," says Paul Baltzer, director of communications for Koch. "First, Guardian has a good competitive position in its principal products with growth opportunities and a culture similar to ours, with an 80-year history of innovation and growth. Second, many of our core capabilities are applicable to their businesses and should be able to enhance their performance."

Koch Industries is a privately-held multinational corporation whose major industries include refining, chemicals and pollution control among a variety of other holdings. The company is based in Witchita, Kan. The multi-billion dollar company currently owns Georgia-Pacific, Flint Hills Resources LLC and Invista B.V.

The United States is honoring its role, to the best of its ability, as the world's locomotive, although despite the positive performance of the real estate market, America seems to be recovering slower than expected.

The EBRD is providing loans worth €110 million to Turkish glass manufacturer Trakya Cam A.Ş. that will expand its product range at home and in Bulgaria and also establish a presence on the Russian market, setting new standards in energy efficiency.